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2014 Community Trauma Report

The number of children injured in falls surpassed all other categories in 2014, with 266 injuries and a rate that rose by 52 percent over a five-year period. The type of fall tends to vary by age. Infants and toddlers are typically injured
falling from beds and couches. Toddlers with serious injuries have fallen from open windows or balconies. Older children often are hurt falling from bicycles or trampolines, or taking part in sports.
The rate of pediatric burns has declined by 17 percent over the past two years, but is 33 percent higher than five years ago. Hot food and drinks, along with boiling water, make up a large number of these very preventable injuries. You can read more about children and burns on Page 16 of this report.
Car wrecks can cause devastating injuries to children. Some progress has been seen in this category, with a 25 percent drop in the rate of injuries since 2012. That rate is down 3 percent over a five-year period. Safe driving habits — safe speeds, avoiding impaired and distracted driving — along with the use of proper restraints with young passengers could send these numbers downward even more.
In addition to eight children deliberately shot in violent acts in 2014, another 28 were inadvertently shot mishandling firearms themselves, or at the hands of others. Twelve children treated for serious injuries at University Hospital were known victims of child abuse. Of the 42 children bitten by animals, 34 involved dogs and eight were by snakes. And 75 children were injured in a variety of ways while playing sports.
The rate of children injured on bicycles dropped slightly in 2014 from the previous year, but remains 245 percent higher than five years earlier. Make sure children wear a proper-fitting helmet and teach them to pay attention while riding and follow the rules of the road. Drivers should watch for children riding bikes and give them plenty of room.
Eight children were brought to University Hospital with gunshot wounds from acts of violence in 2014. The rate has remained about the same over the past four years.